PUNE: Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar called for resolving the cane price issue by mutual understanding as the sugar industry is going through financial crisis.

He was speaking at the inauguration of 80th crushing season of The Sasvad Mali Sugar Factory at Akluj near Pandharpur. Pawar said that the central government will extend support to sugar exports. "Sugar mills should focus on production of by-products," said Pawar adding, "There is need to generate awareness that farmers need to get prices."

Maharashtra co-operation minister Harshvardhan Patil said that about 80 lakh tonne sugar is expected to be produced in Maharashtra in 2013-14. "Of this, about the central government should give subsidy for exporting about 25 lakh tonne to 30 lakh tonne sugar," he demanded.